The Lekhziri River

The Lekhziri River: A Glacial River of Upper Svaneti

The Lekhziri River (მდინარე ლეხზირი) is a high-altitude glacial river in the Mestia Municipality of Upper Svaneti. It is a left tributary of the Mulkhura River (part of the Enguri basin), originating from the massive Lekhziri Glacier on the southern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range. The river is a powerful torrent of milky, turquoise water, flowing through one of the most spectacular and classic glacial valleys in Svaneti. The valley is uninhabited and represents the raw, dynamic beauty of the Caucasus at its most pristine.

The Lekhziri valley is a major destination for mountaineers and trekkers. It is located at the foot of some of Svaneti’s most iconic peaks, including the twin summits of Mount Ushba, and provides access to several famous glaciers. The river itself is a formidable force of nature, especially during the summer melt, and its roaring sound is a constant presence in this epic landscape of ice, rock, and alpine meadows.

ℹ️ General Information

• Name of River: Lekhziri River (მდინარე ლეხზირი)
• Location: Mestia Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Georgia.
• Length: 15 km (9.3 miles)
• Basin Size: 110 km² (42 sq mi)
• Source (Origin): Lekhziri Glacier, Main Caucasus Range.
• Mouth (Where it flows): Left tributary of the Mulkhura River.
• Main Tributaries: Various glacial streams.

📍 Geography & Course

The Lekhziri flows through a classic, wide U-shaped glacial valley. It begins at the tongue of the Lekhziri Glacier and flows southwards. Its bed is a wide expanse of moraine and glacial outwash, and the river often forms multiple braided channels. The valley is surrounded by towering peaks and active glaciers, making it a highly dynamic and geologically active environment.

🌿 Nature & Ecology

The ecosystem is purely high-alpine. The valley floor and lower slopes have some subalpine vegetation, including birch and rhododendron, but are largely dominated by alpine meadows and moraine fields. This pristine wilderness is a crucial habitat for high-altitude wildlife like the East Caucasian tur and chamois. The area is a key part of the Svaneti protected areas network.

🏛️ History & Culture

The Lekhziri valley is too harsh for permanent settlement and has no historical monuments. Its cultural significance lies in its role in the sport of mountaineering in Svaneti and its place in the mythology and worldview of the Svan people, for whom the high peaks and glaciers are sacred places.

🚣 Activities & Tourism

• Mountaineering: The valley is a key access route for climbing some of the most famous peaks in the Caucasus, including Tetnuldi and Gestola.
• Glacier Trekking: The trek to the tongue of the Lekhziri Glacier is a popular and spectacular day or overnight trip for experienced hikers from Mestia.
• Nature and Landscape Photography: The valley offers some of the most dramatic and classic Caucasus mountain scenery in Georgia.

🛤️ Accessibility

The Lekhziri valley is accessible via a rough 4×4 track that branches off from the road to the Tetnuldi ski resort. A 4×4 vehicle is essential to get to the end of the road, from where the trek to the glacier begins. The area is only accessible in the summer months (typically July to September).